The gradually maturing LED industry is also driving up light measurement demands. Taiwanese manufacturer UPRtek released its first popular portable spectrometer MK35ON in 2012. The company followed up on this success with the launch of a newer and more professional spectrometer, the MK350S Advanced in late 2013. As Taiwan International Lighting Show (TILS) 2014 approaches, UPRtek released the world’s smallest spectrometer MK350D Compact. This product series light spectrum can be connected via smartphone App, which allows users to remotely control, measure and acquire reading results.

UPRtek is an investment of Taiwanese IC control manufacturer ezlink. The company entered the spectrum market because of lighting measurement requirements for its LED production line, UPRtek Chairman Edward Tu told LEDinside during the interview. The company realized the two major factors in making spectrometers were high precision and stable measurements. Under similar conditions, the same light source measurement results needs to be replicable and stable. This is the main reason behind the company’s spectrometer ability to challenge Japanese manufacturers within one year.

UPRtek Chairman Edward Tu stands in front of the company sign and display case. (LEDinside)

UPRtek insists on product reliability and accuracy

Speaking of similar competitive products, Tu noted “The core value of measurement lies in reliability, reproducibility, and accurateness.” The company is not afraid of competition and is fully confident of the product’s optomechatronic integration, mass production ability, and the machine’s reliability. For example it took UPRtek seven years to develop its handheld spectrometer’s embedded system. The in-house developed embedded system can measure the equipment’s hardware, and its simple and clean design gives it an additional edge. The device’s interior software code and control capabilities also affected the spectrometer’s readings and stability. UPRtek also depended on stability advantages to integrate software advantages and add distance between competitors.

Aside from shrinking the spectrometer’s hardware to make it portable and convenient, the company highly values accuracy and reliability. To monitor data transfer in real-time, UPRtek has developed mobile App which was well-received by clients. Tu pointed out clients are inclined to use the mobile App, and find it very easy to monitor and obtain data. While creating new spectrometer habits in the market, the company has also overturned the LED industry’s stereotype towards spectrometers.

UPRtek spectrometers. (LEDinside)

UPRtek’s three spectrometers to meet different client demands

UPRtek released its first generation handheld spectrometer MK350N Basic as a test product in 2012 to be applied in lighting products or basic measurements. The measurements include lux, electromagnetic spectrum, C.I.E chromaticity coordinates, peak wavelengths and related Correlated Color Temperatures (CCT) and Color Rendering Index (CRI). The product is mainly being promoted in conventional LED industry R&D, product quality management and sales. In addition, the company has surprisingly found an emerging market in design, film sets and stage lighting. Although, the MK350 is the company’s first spectrometer model, the company has also developed WiFi connection features that allows the spectrometer to be connected to a mobile phone or tablet via an additional WiFi SD card.

After MK35ON Basic became well-known, at the end of 2013 UPRtek launched the Advanced MK350S.Tu explained MK350S not only can test LED lighting products, it can also measure Bin factors including Lux, spectrometer, C.I.E chromaticity coordinates, peak wave lengths, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), CRI, △x,△y,△u',△v', duv, and purity. Therefore, the new generation MK350S product not only covers the same application fields as the previous generation spectrometer, but can also be extended into product line applications. Using CCT Bin check functions, the software can measure global LED chip manufacturers Bin distribution, and be applied in product quality tests to improve work efficiency. Another additional function is Lux Image, which uses a built-in camera lens to examine the test environment and illumination distribution. This is a beneficial device for interior designers and lighting designers.

After MK350S, UPRtek made waves in the market again with the launch of the world’s smallest portable spectrometer, the MX350D Compact. The device’s monitor is much smaller than the previous two models. Upon completing readings, the device can immediately carry out system analysis once connected to a computer. The MK350D Compact is suitable for applications including general market, individual professionals, and special industrial applications, said Tu. It can also be customized for specific environmental use, is the most flexible and the more suit able for different market applications out of the three products.

Adding new product value, launching new functions in 2014

As LED lighting applications and penetration rates rises, increasing number of competitors are also entering the light measurement instrument market. Having earned market trust and recognition, UPRtek will be focusing on R&D of new products, and is expected to release new products for optical measurement and other related applications. In addition to innovation, the company is also actively developing their products and strengthening core technologies. The company plans to start delivering samples to clients in 1Q14.